Adebayo alleges security operatives storm SDP secretariat to thwart party’s primary, says Tinubu behind plot
By Henry Nnaemeka
Tension gripped the national secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Thursday after security operatives reportedly stormed the party headquarters shortly after the presidential screening exercise of former SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.
Adebayo alleged that the operation was part of a coordinated attempt to disrupt the party’s presidential nomination process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking after the incident, the SDP chieftain accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of attempting to intimidate opposition forces and frustrate his ambition to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.
“President Tinubu the autocrat has sent his goons to invade the SDP National Secretariat a day after I completed my presidential primary election screening,” Adebayo said.
“Tinubu wants one-man rule in Nigeria. We will defeat him. It is cowardly and not presidential for the President to be afraid of competition,” he added.
Adebayo specifically named James Faleke and Joash Amupitan among individuals he alleged were involved in efforts to destabilise the party’s internal process and prevent his emergence as the SDP flagbearer.
Sources within the party disclosed that Adebayo had visited the secretariat for his nomination screening before policemen reportedly arrived at the premises in the early hours of Thursday, creating panic among party officials and supporters.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official reaction from the Presidency, the Nigeria Police Force, or the individuals mentioned in the allegations.
